Telemarketing leads consumer complaints in 2012

Telemarketing once again tops the list of complaints from Wisconsin consumers.

The state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection said Tuesday that telemarketing complaints account for nearly 2,000 of the roughly 10,000 formal complaints filed last year. It is the 10th year in a row that telemarketers and robo calls have topped the list.

After consumers file their complaints online, the department said it will contact businesses to attempt to resolve the issue. It recommends those who are upset when they receive a telemarketer's call to simply hang up.

After telemarketing, the next highest complaint involved landlord and tenant issues.

Other complaints in the top 10 include identity theft, home improvement problems and gas pump accuracy.

Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.